a heightened concern

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a heightened concern" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an increased level of worry or anxiety about a particular issue or situation. Example: "In light of recent events, there is a heightened concern regarding public safety."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

The Bush speech showed a heightened concern for connotation.

The New York Times - Magazine

"People suddenly have a heightened concern about their privacy being invaded," he said.

The New York Times

A heightened concern over assimilatory trends resulted in his also outlawing certain practices considered legitimate up to his time.

Encyclopedia Britannica

For many the label represents a heightened concern for workplace and environmental issues, consumer safety and premium quality.

The New York Times

The N.F.L. has required its teams to report players' injuries since the late 1940s, when the influence of gamblers became a heightened concern.

The New York Times - Sports

Neuroscientists are on the cusp of proving that prolonged exposure to social networking sites dictates the way a young brain will develop, with evidence to suggest it leads to a heightened concern for how one compares to others.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

The agency posted a document on its Web site over the weekend saying that it upgraded its investigation into Saturn Ions from the 2004-7 model years as a result of heightened concern that a sudden loss of electric power steering could cause crashes.

The New York Times

They said the initiative was part of a broader, nationwide effort to follow any leads pointing to possible violence or illegal disruptions in connection with the political conventions, presidential debates or the November election, which come at a time of heightened concern about a possible terrorist attack.

The New York Times

Last night former Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell, who is a member of the Commons intelligence and security committee, and former Conservative immigration minister Damian Green, both warned that pulling out of the EAW would be a disastrous move at a time of heightened concern over terrorism.

The Guardian

They also would be defying a majority of the Parliament during a period of heightened concern about making European institutions like the central bank more democratically accountable.

The New York Times

The raids come at a time of heightened concern among American and European officials over a possible terrorist strike in Europe.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a heightened concern" when you want to convey an elevated level of worry, sensitivity, or awareness regarding a specific issue, especially in formal or professional contexts.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "a heightened concern" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler phrases like "more worried" or "really concerned" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a heightened concern" functions primarily as a noun phrase. Ludwig AI confirms that it correctly describes an increased level of worry or anxiety. It often acts as a subject complement or object of a preposition, indicating what someone is worried or anxious about.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

27%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a heightened concern" is a grammatically sound and versatile noun phrase used to express increased worry or awareness, particularly in formal settings. Ludwig AI validates its proper usage and provides numerous examples from reputable sources. While generally appropriate for neutral to formal contexts like news, science, and business, simpler alternatives may be preferred in casual conversation. Its function is to highlight issues requiring attention or action. When communicating professionally, consider "a heightened concern" to articulate worry, sensitivity, or awareness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

increased worry

Focuses specifically on the emotion of worry, omitting the nuance of sensitivity or awareness.

intensified worry

Emphasizes the strength of the feeling of worry.

greater apprehension

Emphasizes a feeling of dread or unease about something that might happen.

elevated anxiety

Highlights the psychological aspect of anxiety, implying a clinical level of concern.

growing unease

Suggests a gradual increase in discomfort or anxiety over time.

growing disquiet

Suggests a gradual increase in disturbance of mind.

heightened sensitivity

Shifts the focus to increased awareness and emotional responsiveness.

increased awareness

Emphasizes knowledge and understanding of a situation, rather than emotional response.

sharper focus

Implies a more concentrated attention on a specific problem or risk.

greater vigilance

Highlights the need for careful observation and alertness to potential dangers.

FAQs

How can I use "a heightened concern" in a sentence?

You can use "a heightened concern" to describe an increased level of worry or anxiety about something. For example, "There is "a heightened concern" regarding data privacy after the recent security breach."

What are some alternatives to "a heightened concern"?

You can use alternatives like "increased worry", "greater apprehension", or "elevated anxiety", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "a heightened concern" formal or informal?

"A heightened concern" is generally considered a formal phrase. In informal contexts, it might be better to use simpler expressions like "more worried" or "really concerned".

What's the difference between "a heightened concern" and "heightened awareness"?

"A heightened concern" implies increased worry or anxiety, while "heightened awareness" suggests increased knowledge and understanding. The former focuses on emotional response, and the latter on cognitive understanding.